Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-10-13
Report from the knights' Committee
ON legislatiOns

LABOR lNTERESTS IN CONG RESS.
A Report from the Knights' COnamittee
ON Legislation.
Mr.. Powderly expressed to the general assembly
OF the Knights or Labor In Minneapolis yesterday
morning his pleasure at the Lively rate at which
business Is moving along, and congratulated the
delegates on their wisdom and ability. The pro-
ceedings OF the convention have run along
swiftly and evenly for a number OF days
past, and, with the exception OF the an
archist episode Of Monday afternoon, MOTH
ing has occurred to interrupt the course Of busi-
ness the most important Of the committees that
reported yesterday morning was that on legisla-
ton. OF which PaulT. Bowen is chairman. On the
recommendations OF this committee the conven-
ton resolved to push the andsincorporated by
telegraphs, postal savings banks, and for a de.
partment OF labor, and 10 attempt the securing OF
UNIFORM legislation on these subjects In all the
made TO draft labor bills prohibiting women
and child labor, abolishing conspiracy laws and
shops and factories The BIalT EDUCATIONAL BIZ
was again endorsed, and the Foran bill, similar 70
the old Henry P. Wright bill, authorizing the set
amended, so as to increase the margin OF interest
luton was passed 70 require that ali GOV;
Win o stipulation that wages shall be
paid In cash in at least monthly payments.
STRIKES AND BoYCOTTs.
The advocates OF trivial strikes and loose boy
cotting received setback when the committee
on strikes and boycottS rendered its report yester
day afternoon. The recommendations OF the COM
mlttee 10 abolish the assistance fund, because 1t
encourages strikes and TO enforce strict d1sc1p-
line In all cases Of labor disturbances, meets with
much approval among the delegates. over $780,
600 OF the orders funds were expended this year
IN the maintenance OF strikes and lockouts, and
q zad htr ha rot tya laQh
OF The committee on law, to which the recommen-
dat1ons were referred. and later the general as
direction
Inexpedient to legislate was the recommendation
OF the committee regarding document asking
tnat special bureau OF strikes and bOycOtts be
established. Though the report was sharply an
tagonlzed. the majority OF the assembly agreed
Win Inc committee, and no bureau Will be formed.
Continuing It's report, the committee offered sew
eral suggestions as to the conduct Of strikes and
boycottS.
Several delegates preferred complaints against
certain concerns In different paris Of the country,
but all were referred TO the general executive
board, on the ground that the boycott must not
be used except after the most careful investigation
ana consideration OF the circumstances In this
connection 1t was asked that a boycott be placed
upon all scab-made cigars offered in boxes bear
Ing the picture of General Master Workman Pow
DERBY. This rrand has been Systematically used,
and was vigorously denounced as one of the mean
est impOSiti0ns practiced on those who wish 10
buy only uniOn-nade goods. This, with the other
charges, was referred to the general executive
board.
THE SUBJECT OF CONSPIRACY
coming up, Pittsburg delegate stated that he
had been arrested six times on this charge, when
his only OfIense Was that Of putting his head out
of the window after nightfall Another said that
thirty Knights were locked up for playing "Hail,
Columbia" before the entrance TO coal mine
during a strike. 1t was also averred that some
men had been under indictment in Kentucky for
the simple fact OF belonging TO the order. Cases
OF heartless blacklisting and malicious prosecu-
enemies
cited with freedom, but the report OF the commit
tee advising the reference OF ali cases for inveSu
Think before you strike; don't boycott except
when you can't help it," were significant Of the
position OF the order on these subjects
FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE ORDER.
There is considerable talk among the delegates
over the financial condition of the order, brought
on by the decision OF the majority Tuesday, fixing
the rate OF mileage at cents per mile each way,
TO be paid by the general assembly. The aggre-
gate expense this WIN incur viii be enormous
Many OF the delegates have Travelled over 1000
miles on their journey hither, although the dis
lance traversed by the bulk Of them has been
much less Taking then the average distance
Travelled TO be 800 miles, which amounts to 1000
both ways, the expense entailed by the convention
for travelling alone will foot up probably not
less than $4,000. In addition to this, the
minimum expenses of each delegate, to
be paid by the Individual district or 10
pesW 81 W sc that ne the GSaeot
tire 200 representatives In the convention are not
less than 81. 200 a day. Nearly two days time was
consumed In the struggle over Buchanans creden-
tials and thus, as stated by some OF the OppOsi-
ton delegates the different districts will have to
pay S2-4OO OF their own money to defray the eX-
penses Incident upon Buchanan's rejection by the
convention.
The exercises at the Industrial Exhibition last
night were interesting. Mr.. Powderly made
twO-minute speech, In which he gave the tnhabt-
ants or Minneapolis great credit for their indus
trial display. Longer addresses were delivered by
Charles II. Litchman on Labor Is Noble and
Holy" and Albert A. Carlton on 1.-The Hone OF
Knighthood." Two thousand peope were present.